Alstroemeria plant named ‘Christina’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Christina’ characterized by growth height of 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions; suitable for pots larger than 7 cm; growth height of 10-30 cm; bushy-dwarf growth habit; inner tepals, RHS 4D at the apex, RHS 9A at the center, RHS 54C at the base, with stripes RHS 187A (upper surface); outer tepals RHS 4D, with a smudge of 54C at the center (upper surface); and 4-6 weeks inflorescence longevity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant named: Alstroemeriahybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Christina’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAlstroemeria plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘Christina’.

‘Christina’ originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in Chichester in Sussex, United Kingdom by the inventorRobert Adrian Goemans. The male parent is an unnamed dwarf Butterflytype cultivar (unpatented). The female parent of ‘Christina’ is anunnamed, unpatented, Alstroemeria aurea selection.

‘Christina’ was discovered and selected as one flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated parentage by Robert Adrian Goemans in 1997 ina controlled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom. The first act ofasexual reproduction of ‘Christina’ was accomplished when vegetativecuttings were taken from the initial selection in May, 1999 in acontrolled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom. Horticulturalexamination of selected plants initiated in 1999 has demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Christina’are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of which in combination distinguish thisAlstroemeria as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Suitable for pots larger than 7 cm.

2. growth height 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions;

3. bushy-dwarf growth habit;

4. inner tepals, RHS 4D at the apex, RHS 9A at the center, RHS 54C atthe base, with stripes RHS 187A (upper surface); outer tepals RHS 4D,with a smudge of 54C at the center (upper surface); and

5. 4-6 weeks inflorescence longevity.

There are no commercial cultivars known to the inventor, similar incomparison to ‘Christina’. In comparison to ‘Christina’, the femaleparental cultivar has blue flowers and is small in size, having a dwarfgrowth habit; and the male parental cultivar has yellow flowers and istall in size.

‘Christina’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, withoutany change in genotype. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe plants grown in Chichester, Sussex, United Kingdomunder greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical plant of the newvariety with colors as accurate as is possible with this type ofdrawing.

The photographic drawing shows the flowers and foliage of ‘Christina’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined in the afternoon of Sep. 16, 2000 under normal daylightconditions in Wateringen, The Netherlands. The plants described are ninemonths of age and grown in 15 cm pots. The plants were asexuallypropagated by rooted tissue cultured rhizomes.

Classification:

Botanical.—Alstroemeria hybrid.

Commercial.—Alstroemeria cv. Christina.

Plant:

Form.—Pot Plant.

Height.—10-30 cm (Dutch greenhouse conditions).

Diameter.—18 cm.

Growth.—Bushy-dwarf growth habit.

Time it takes to produce a flowering plant.—From planting of rootedtissue cultured rhizomes to flowering is 6 to 9 months, depending oncultural conditions.

Number of lateral branches.—38 per plant.

Stem.—Size: 14 cm in length, 4 mm in diameter. Texture: Firm/fleshy.Color: RHS yellow-green group 149 C. Length of internode: 5 mm.

Foliage:

Quantity.—5-10 leaves on each centimeter of stem, depending on growthstage.

Size of leaf.—Length: 70-90 mm; width: 30-35 mm.

Shape of leaf.—Oblong-ovate; cuspidate apex; cuneate base; dentatemargin.

Texture of leaf.—Smooth and firm.

Color.—Upper side is dark green, RHS 137 A to RHS 137 B. Underside islight-green, RHS 137 C.

Petioles.—Length: 21 mm; width: 4 mm; green in color, RHS 143 C.

Rhizomes.—Color: White RHS 158 A to RHS 158 D. Size: length 10-50 mm;diameter 6-15 mm, depending on age.

Inflorescence:

Number of flowers per cyme.—1-2.

Number of flowers per umbel.—2-3.

Number of open flowers per plant.—Typically 12-15 per 15 cm pot.

Lasting quality of the bloom.—4-6 weeks on the plant.

Flowering season.—May-September under outdoor conditions.

Fragrance.—None.

Bud:

Form.—Tubular pointed.

Diameter.—10-20 mm.

Length.—15-25 mm.

Peduncle.—20-25 mm, medium-green RHS 145 A.

Color.—Red, RHS 46 A to RHS 46 B.

Flower:

Size.—Medium, length: 40-60 mm; width: 40-60 mm.

Shape.—Broad obovate.

Tepals.—Outer tepals: 3. Size: length: 55 mm, width 31 mm. Upper SurfaceColor: RHS 4D, with a smudge of RHS 54C at the center. Under SurfaceColor: RHS 4D, with a central stripe of RHS 54C. Shape: broad obovate.Apex: cuspidate. Base: cuneate. Margin: serrate. Texture: silky. Innertepals: 3. Size: length 60 mm, width 18 mm. Upper Surface Color: RHS 4Dat the apex, RHS 9A at the center, RHS 54C at the base with stripes RHS187A. Lower Surface Color: RHS 4D at the apex, RHS 8A at the center, RHS54C at the base. Shape: spatulate. Apex: cuspidate. Base: cuneate.Margin: dentate. Texture: silky.

Peduncle.—Length: 40-50 mm. Color: Medium-green, RHS 145 A.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.—6.

Pollen.—Plentiful, yellow RHS 9 A.

Anthers.—Yellow, RHS 13 A.

Filaments.—Red, RHS 50 A to RHS 50 B.

Pistils.—1, red-pink, RHS 50 B to RHS 50 C.

Stigma.—Pink-white, RHS 56 A to RHS 56 C.

Seeds.—None.

Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No known information.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Christina’, asdescribed and illustrated herein.